Plant Biology

How to lose weight? Exercise. How to stay fit and healthy? Exercise. How to fall asleep faster and better? Exercise?

Studies, investigations, and research done for many years have all found the same exact answer: Getting at least 2-1/2 hours of exercise a week will help you get a better sleep and improve alertness during the day. But a question arises, how is exercise related to sleeping?

Apparently, it was thought that exercise helps sleeping by making your body feel tired and fatigued, therefore causing it to want to sleep and rest. However, it’s the contrary. Physical activity helps the body stay more active but at the same time, create a more relaxing and rewarding sleep.
A study was done showing how exercise improved sleep of individuals. For those who managed to exercise at least the above duration for a week, findings were that these people became less drowsy and more active throughout the day, and since they are more alive, alert, and productive, stress also lessened, mood improved, therefore leading to a better and more relaxed sleep. This further leads to lasting mental and physical betterment.

On the other hand, those who were living sedentary lifestyles without exercise, had less productivity in both school and workplace, was easily tired throughout the day, and had less restful sleep throughout the night. That’s why the connection was established – regular exercise is equal to an improved sleep.

Aerobic exercise specifically is a helpful type of exercise you can perform. However, if you are unavailable to go to an aerobic class or some sort like it, you can do some other types of combined exercise. This can involve jogging, brisk walking, kickboxing, jumping rope, or biking. You can also do stretching throughout the day, especially in tense situations. This can help release the tension and “wake your system up” so it will stay active and less tired. However, make sure these exercises are done regularly as a part of your schedule and at least in the required duration within a week.

The key to getting the best benefits from exercise, aside from the regularity, is the time you do it throughout the day. The best time to do it would be at least three to six hours before bedtime, giving yourself an ample time to rest after exercising. During exercise you release toxins in your body, and time is needed before you achieve the results of the released chemicals. If you exercise and directly lead to your bed, you will only have the tired feeling, and you’ll actually have a hard time falling asleep, which is contrary to what you want to achieve.

Apparently, regular exercise is the best non-medication alternative for better sleeping habits. It might be tiresome to start doing the exercise, but it is essential in the long run. A regular exercise coupled with the right food and balanced nutrition will enable you to have the healthy heart, fit body, as well as become a good sleeper, that will in turn improve your overall well-being and social interactions with other people, more happiness and more sense of fulfillment.

To learn how to fall asleep please keep reading on this matter.